Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“I don’t know,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Obviously, we’re all smart… I think we’re going to wait and see what happens with free agency and all that stuff. I honest to gosh hadn’t thought much about it, other than the draft… Other than that, I’ve given zero thought to the whole thing. (Celtics president of basketball operations) Danny (Ainge) has talked to me a couple of times recently. I probably didn’t hear much. We’ll find that out later. I just want to stick with this group, if it’s a couple more days, a couple more weeks, or whatever. I just want to stick with them.”
“I wish we could have had healthy runs,” said Rivers. “This team won a title; got to another one (in 2010), a Game 7 (vs. the Lakers), where they had a shot to win. We got to the Eastern Conference finals and one game away on the road (this year vs. the Heat), banged up. So I don’t know — because of really Kevin’s (knee) injury (in 2009), I don’t know if we could have gotten any more out of the group. I would have loved to have seen this team in this whole stretch where Kevin was injury-free.
“But you don’t get do-overs. Everybody has injuries. Not just us. Chicago, (Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau) is sitting at home right now thinking, ‘No Rose.’ It’s part of the luck of it. But great group, great team group. I know everybody will look at the Big Three individually — Kevin, Ray and Paul. I’m never going to look at them individually, I’m going to look at them as a group collective. They all gave up seven-plus shots each. They gave up minutes. I asked them to play defense and move the ball, and they all did it, and they’re willing to do it for the better of the team. So I think that’s what we should focus on, how much they gave up to try to win. That’s what I’ll remember most about them.”
Not sure where to begin. It’s too early to start the speculation about who returns, who doesn’t and potential replacements.
As corny as this sounds, Doc Rivers loved this team and this team loved Doc Rivers. Many of us were stunned when Doc signed his lengthy contract extension at the end of last season. But now the reasons are crystal clear.
I refuse to believe Kevin Garnett would play for another team and coach. If he wants to play another season, it will be in Boston. Is it possible for an alpha male like Garnett to take on a reduced, bench player role? Anything’s possible with KG and Doc.
On Page 2, Ray Allen’s emotional postgame comments.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqcne5ltkS0]
Man, I can’t take much more of this. My eyes are gonna start welling up.
The general consensus is that Ray Allen is gone. I’m not so sure.
The rest of the links:
Banner 18 – Thank you, Celtics | Globe – Season, era end with loss | C’s exceeded expectations | At the end, they had nothing left | Herald – Celtics fizzle in fourth | End of era, or more in store? | In end, C’s disappoint | ESPN Boston – Ray Allen: Surgery is priority | Brandon Bass: I would love to be back | Pierce: KG changed the culture | WEEI – Celtics run over, long live the run | Rondo: We let this one slip away | Dooling: We have hearts of champions | CSNNE – Celtics run out of gas, fall to Heat | Bosh shoots Boston out with big Game 7
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